
Strokes are a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate attention. They occur when there is an issue with blood flow to the brain, either due to blocked blood vessels or bleeding in the brain. To identify a stroke, it is crucial to recognise the warning signs, which can be remembered using the acronym BE FAST: observing a person's balance, eyes, face, arms, speech, and the time since the onset of symptoms. In addition to a physical and neurological examination, medical professionals use various tests, including imaging scans and blood tests, to diagnose the type and cause of the stroke. The two main types of stroke are ischemic, caused by a blockage, and hemorrhagic, caused by bleeding.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Loss of balance | Sudden |
Loss of vision | Partial or total |
Loss of vision | Double vision |
Face | Droop on one or both sides |
Arms | One arm will stay higher while the other will sag and drop downward |
Speech | Slurred or garbled |
Speech | Inability to speak |
Time | Critical |
Weakness | One-sided |
Tests | Computerized tomography (CT) scan |
Tests | Lab blood tests |
Tests | Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) |
Tests | Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans |
Tests | Electroencephalogram (EEG) |
What You'll Learn
Weakness or numbness of the face, arms, or legs
Weakness or numbness in the face, arms, or legs is a common symptom of a stroke. This usually occurs on one side of the body and can cause a drooping or uneven smile. To test for this symptom, ask the person to raise both arms; if they have one-sided weakness, one arm will drift downward. Similarly, ask the person to smile; if one side of their face is numb, their smile will be uneven.
If someone is experiencing these symptoms, it is critical to call emergency services immediately. Prompt treatment is vital to recovering from a stroke and can reduce the risk of long-term complications or permanent damage.
Other symptoms that may accompany weakness or numbness in the face, arms, or legs include:
- Severe headache
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Loss of balance or dizziness
- Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
- Confusion or difficulty understanding speech
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Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding
A stroke is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when there is an interruption in the blood supply to the brain, resulting in oxygen deprivation to brain cells. It is crucial to recognise the signs of a stroke and seek immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage or death.
One of the key signs of a stroke is confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding. This is known as aphasia, a language disorder that affects one's ability to speak, understand, read, or write. Aphasia occurs when the language centre of the brain, particularly Broca's area and Wernicke's area, is damaged due to a stroke.
People experiencing aphasia may have trouble finding the right words, using incorrect words, or even creating new words. They may also face challenges in understanding spoken or written language, following directions, grasping conversations, or multitasking during conversations. Additionally, aphasia can make reading and writing difficult, impacting spelling, sentence formation, and number usage.
Aphasia can affect anyone, but it is more common in older individuals, especially those over 65, and those who have experienced a stroke or traumatic brain injury. The severity and duration of aphasia can vary, with some individuals recovering within a few months and others experiencing long-term or permanent symptoms.
If you or someone you know is displaying signs of aphasia, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Speech and language therapy can help improve language abilities and develop alternative communication strategies.
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Vision problems, such as dimness or loss of vision
Vision problems are a common occurrence after a stroke, with about 65% of survivors experiencing some form of visual difficulty. These problems can affect your daily life in a variety of ways, from reading and watching television to getting around and losing confidence in going out. It is not always immediately obvious that your vision has been affected, so it is important to get it checked after a stroke.
There are four main types of vision problems that can occur after a stroke:
Vision or Visual Field Loss
This is when you have blurred or missing areas in your field of vision. This can be caused by a lesion in the brain involving the optic nerve, resulting in what is known as hemianopsia or a "field cut". This can affect several areas in both eyes, making reading particularly challenging. Rehabilitation may involve the use of a line guide or a device that helps to isolate lines when reading. Relaxation and breathing techniques, as well as scanning exercises, can also be beneficial.
Eye Movement Problems
These are issues with nerve control of the muscles that focus and move the eyes. Conditions such as oculomotor dysfunction can cause eye tracking problems, making it difficult to smoothly shift your gaze between objects. This often leads to reading and walking difficulties. Eye movement disorders rarely improve without therapy.
Visual Processing Problems
Visual processing issues can cause difficulties in understanding visual information. You may struggle to recognise objects or be unaware of things happening on one side of your body. This is sometimes referred to as visual neglect or spatial inattention. Rehabilitation for this type of problem involves learning to scan from side to side, such as finding items on a table or a wall.
Other Sight Problems
Other vision issues that may arise include light sensitivity, dry eyes, and double vision (diplopia). Dry eyes can cause irritation, burning, or blurry vision. Double vision can be temporarily alleviated with an eye patch, but it does not fix the underlying issue.
If you notice any new vision problems after a stroke, it is important to inform your healthcare provider, optician, or stroke therapist. They can refer you for further assessment and develop a treatment plan, which may include rehabilitation therapies.
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Dizziness or loss of balance and coordination
Dizziness, a loss of balance, and a lack of coordination can be indicative of a stroke. A stroke occurs when there is an issue with blood flow to the brain, often due to blocked blood vessels or bleeding in the brain. As different areas of the brain control different abilities, stroke symptoms vary depending on the area affected.
The cerebellum and brainstem are the areas of the brain that control balance. When a stroke occurs in these areas, it can result in dizziness and a loss of balance, leaving the person feeling as though they or the world around them are moving or spinning. This is known as vertigo. Vertigo can also be caused by side effects of medication, inner ear infections, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), migraines, or confusion due to a urinary tract infection.
A stroke can also cause weakness on one side of the body, making it difficult to balance and coordinate movements. This weakness can make it challenging to sit up or stand, and the person may experience foot drop, where they cannot lift their toes enough when walking, increasing the risk of tripping. Loss of sensation in the affected side, especially the legs, can further compromise balance. To compensate, individuals tend to rely more on their vision, which requires significant concentration and can be tiring. As a result, they may become less aware of their surroundings and more prone to slips, trips, and falls.
In addition to physical symptoms, a stroke can lead to concentration problems, making it challenging to focus on balance while performing other tasks. For example, walking and talking simultaneously may become difficult, and individuals may need to stop walking to listen or speak effectively. Busy environments, uneven surfaces, and sudden changes in direction can also be challenging for those experiencing balance issues after a stroke.
Vision problems, commonly occurring after a stroke, can further exacerbate balance difficulties. These vision issues include difficulty focusing, double vision, and eye movement problems. Hemianopia, or the loss of part of the field of vision, can cause individuals to miss obstacles in their path. Poor lighting, clutter, and obstacles in the environment can further increase the risk of falling.
If you or someone you know is experiencing dizziness or balance and coordination issues, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. A stroke is a life-threatening emergency, and prompt treatment is critical to prevent permanent damage or death.
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Severe headaches with no other known cause
A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when there is an interruption to the blood flow to the brain. It is important to be able to identify the signs of a stroke as immediate medical attention is critical to prevent permanent damage or death.
Strokes can cause severe headaches, and around 7-65% of people undergoing a stroke will experience some form of a headache. However, it can be difficult to distinguish a benign headache from a stroke-related one. A stroke-related headache may be sudden and severe, and the location of the pain can depend on the area of the brain affected by the stroke. For example, a blocked carotid artery, which supplies blood to the front of the brain, might cause pain in the forehead or face. A blockage towards the back of the brain can cause a headache at the back of the head or top of the neck.
If you experience a severe headache with no other known cause, it is important to be vigilant and check for other potential signs of a stroke. For example, stroke-related headaches are often accompanied by other neurological symptoms, such as facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, confusion, and trouble seeing.
To recognise the warning signs of a stroke, it is recommended to remember the acronym BE FAST:
- Balance: Watch out for a sudden loss of balance.
- Eyes: Look out for a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, or double vision.
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Look for a droop on one or both sides of their face, which is a sign of muscle weakness or paralysis.
- Arms: Check for one-sided weakness by asking the person to raise their arms.
- Speech: Strokes often cause a person to lose their ability to speak. They might slur their words or have trouble choosing the right words.
- Time: Time is critical, so don't wait to get help.
If you experience a severe headache that comes on suddenly, with no other known cause, and especially if it is accompanied by any of the above symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
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